Model Essays

I enjoyed reading ALL your essays, so I have posted them all here for you to read. They all have strong points, which I have added comments on in addition to commenting on areas for improvement. I strongly suggest you review all the essays as well as your own previous work when preparing for the in-class essay next week. Some repeated problems were apostrophe use and present tense for analysis, so do leave time to edit carefully for these in your work. Also, you need to carefully review how to quote from Shakespeare. This information is in the 3.5 pack and I've also posted it on the home page for your reference.

Kelvin's group has an excellent example of how to PEE in one of their body paragraphs.
Charles's group has an excellent conclusion.
Tim's group has an unusual, interesting thesis and excellent cohesion throughout. Look at how they refer to the thesis in every body paragraph concluding sentence!
Roger's group have a very powerful opening, and a well structured paragraph on Juliet.

Essential Questions:

Are the tragic events of the play fated from the very start? - Luke Wang
In many Shakespeare’s works, he emphasizes how fate manipulates a person and Romeo and Juliet is one of them. Almost all the tragic events in the play is fated from the very start like how Romeo and Juliet’s relationship are fated in the prologue. The relationship of Romeo and Juliet, the death of Juliet, and the death of Romeo are all fated in the text from the beginning.

When the audience hears the chorus read the first prologue, the audience can clearly identify that the relationship of Romeo and Juliet is fated in the prologue that they will die because of their love. In the prologue of the play, it states that “From forth the fatal loins of these two foes/A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life;” (prologue 5-6) The mention of star-crossed lovers shows that Romeo and Juliet will not have very good luck which shows their love is fated to break from there. In addition it shows that they will commit suicide which fates the death of both Romeo and Juliet. Just by reading the prologue, the audience can already sense that Romeo and Juliet are fated to love and die which shows how the tragic events are fated from the very start.

Being of one of the most tragic characters in Romeo and Juliet, the death of Juliet is fated at the beginning when she first meets Romeo. On the Capulet’s party, Juliet instantly falls in love with Romeo and says “If he be married,/My grave is like to be my wedding bed.” (1.5 148-149). Those lines show how Juliet will rather die if Romeo is married. From that line it can also be inferred that Juliet’s death is fated since later it is the marriage that kills Juliet. Similar to that line, after Juliet’s death Lord Capulet says “Death lies on her like an untimely frost”(4.5 33) That lines shows how Juliet’s death is like a plant that blindly grown in the cold and dead because of the coldness, which symbolizes how Juliet’s death is not avoidable. That line also expresses the feeling that her death is fated. Like Romeo and Juliet’s relationship, the death of Juliet is also fated at the very beginning and caused a series of unavoidable events that ultimately killed her.

Just like the death of Juliet, the death of Romeo is also fated when he killed Tybalt. After the fighting scene in 3.1, Romeo says “O, I am fortune’s fool” (3.1 143) That line shows how Romeo is fated to kill Tybalt, since he blames fate for the killing of Tybalt. In addition, when Romeo seeks for help from the Friar, the Friar says “And thou art wedded to calamity” (3.3 3) That line shows how Romeo is married to disasters, which proves how Romeo’s marriage is fated and he will ultimately die. From those two quotes, we can see how the even that happened to Romeo is fated from the beginning and he will die just like Juliet.

As mentioned before, most of the events happened in the play are fated in the beginning like the death of Romeo, Juliet and Tybalt and the marriage of Romeo and Juliet. From those things, it shows how Shakespeare likes to emphasize fate in the play to make the audience realize the existence of it.

Main Text (498 Words) + Quotes (62 Words)

Who is to blame for the tragic events of the play? - David Shang

Romeo and Juliet, a tragedy of many deaths both frustrating and romantic, was caused by, not only the themes of the play but characters as well. According to the characters they blame fate for all of the misfortunes and anything that goes wrong. They never question what they are doing wrong. I believe that in this tragedy the theme of fate, the well-intended friar and the emotional Nurse.

The characters in this play often blames fate for the difficulties they face. Romeo accuses fate the most. After killing Tybalt, Romeo cries, “O, I am fortune’s fool!”(3.1.142). After this, he get banished to Mantua, without hearing about Juliet. However, Romeo sends his servant, Balthasar to check on Juliet and he finds out that Juliet is dead. Then Romeo, contrasting from previous acts, tried to defy fate and hold it in his own hands said, “Then I defy you, stars!”(5.1.25). But as we found out at the end of the play, Romeo fails and once again fate is victorious.From the prologue, Shakespeare foreshadows the love but also death of Romeo and Juliet, “A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life” and “death-marked love”. All the evidence supports that the theme of fate has controlled this tragedy of Romeo and Juliet and also inevitable.

Out of all the characters, The Friar (not part of any household) transformed this romantic play into a tragedy with his defective plans and his bad decisions. His first bad decision is when he married Romeo and Juliet in secret thinking that, “For this alliance may so happy prove, to turn your households, rancor to pure love” (2.3.98-99). From this event onwards more bad decisions started to unravel one by one, first not telling any of the households and letting Juliet marry Paris. Second, he recommends love drenched Juliet to drink poison so she does not need to marry Paris and have Romeo back again. And lastly, his letter to Romeo telling him about this plan failed to reach Romeo in time, therefore leading to the death of the “death marked lovers”. Even if he was good intended, the Friar is instrumental in the tragedy of the play.

The Nurse is close to the Friar as a character that can be blamed for the tragedy of this play. Alongside the Friar, the Nurse is the only other person that knows about Romeo and Juliet and is a facilitator to their relationship. At the beginning the Nurse loved Romeo and when he got banished, it was her idea to arrange for the two lovers to meet. But when Juliet needed her most after her parents ordered her to marry Paris, she betrays Juliet; “I think it best you married with the county”(3.5.230). Also she told Juliet that Romeo is as good as dead. The Nurse causes Juliet to make her own decisions and eventually go through with the Friar’s plan.

The tragedy of the play is not only caused by fate, the Nurse and the Friar. It may be something bigger, like the age-old feud between the families or the Prince for not stopping the feud. So many things could have gone right but that’s what makes this play one of the best tragic plays, is because of every little thing that may have stopped the deaths, “Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”(5.3.320)

Main text (500 words) + Quotes (43 words)


Is Romeo and Juliet's love true love, or just infatuation?


499 words
Aaron Zhang

Is it true that the old people are wise and the young are foolish and impetuous?

Tim Young
In Romeo and Juliet it is not true that the young are impetuous and the old are wise. The young, are characterized as foolish and impetuous because either we don't think thing through,or we act on instinct or we just don't have experience to back up if we do think of the possible outcomes. The younger ones may be foolish and impetuous, but we can be wise at times. Then the older people, they are characterized with wise and the "always knows best" attributes. They are wise for they have experience, knowledge and the ability to be able to weigh the consequences of a situation well. Unfortunately, they have their flaws and can be as impetuous as the younger generation who they think are foolish. There fore both parties have times when they fit their description, and when they don't. True that young people are impetuous and that old people are wise, but not all the time. These are examples of when the older characters are foolish. Capulet displayed impetuosity because out of the blue he changed the wedding day from Thursday to Wednesday, bringing Paris’ and Juliet’s marriage closer by a day. Also when Friar Lawrence makes the plan it was very foolish and impetuous of him for his plans had many variable or "things" that can go wrong, which it did in the play. A way that a young person is wise in the play was when Juliet showed us that she was not easily persuaded into love through flattery. Or when she asks for Romeo's complete faithfulness instead of going on pure instinct that she loves him and will do anything to be with him. But there are still times when the young kids were impetuous. This was when Romeo without thinking buys a poison which he will drink once he gets to see Juliet's body in the tomb. And when he hears that he is to be banished from Verona and throws a tantrum like a little boy although he is sixteen or seventeen years old. An example when an old person was wise was when the Friar was telling Romeo that Banishment is not a curse, it is a blessing. Then near the end, the older "wiser" characters tend to go against the younger "foolish" "impetuous" characters. This gives the feeling of the usual grown up, thinking they always know best, although they usually do, they sometimes aren't. This play gives many example of how both old and young are impetuous, foolish and wise. Therefore, the young aren't ALWAYS foolish and the old aren't ALWAYS wise.


Roger Zahn
Act 1 Scene 2

In Act one scene two, Capulet is talking to Paris about marrying Juliet, and planning his party. Capulet sends his illiterate servant out with a list of guests to invite. Since the servingman can't read, he finds a random man on the street to read the list for him. That man was Romeo. Romeo tricks the servingman into letting him come to the party, and then the scene ends. Act one scene two has great significance in the over all play. It deals with the question of fate, or coincidence. Which is it that allowed Romeo to meet the servingman on the streets? If Romeo had never met the servingman, he would've never gone to the party, and never met Juliet. Never gotten married to her, never been banished, never ended up killing himself, and the same with Juliet. This scene also shows many new characteristics coming out in characters. Paris is very straight-forward, and impatient because he has not even met Juliet, and already wants to marry her. Capulet is fine with this idea, but tells him not to get ahead of himself, and to come to the party before he decides. It also backs up the old characteristic of a love-sick Romeo. Romeo is telling Benvolio how much he misses Rosaline when he met the servingman. If he had not been love sick, he wouldn't have seen Rosaline's name on the list, and been interested. Which leaves us again to the question of fate, or coincidence.

Words: 250

Mercutio

Mercutio is killed in Act three scene one because he was making fun of, and then challenged Tybalt. Before he challenged Tybalt, and all throughout the book, it is shown that Mercutio is a fun-lover, and likes to make puns and jokes. However, at times, he can be very deep.

Even in the first scenes that Mercutio is shown in, he is making puns and jokes. His very long speech at the beginning of act one scene four, begins as a long joke which insults Romeo's dream about the party being a bad idea. It then, however, gets very deep, and Mercutio almost breaks down in tears because of it. "Which once untangled much misfortune bodies / This is the hag, when maids lie on their backs, / That presses them and learns them to bear," Here, Mercutio is saying that the Queen of dreams (Mab) gives people false hope, and takes advantage of them when they are lying on their backs.

Another example that Mercutio is fun-loving is during Act two scene four. When the Nurse comes to tell Romeo that Juliet wishes to know the time of their marriage, Mercutio makes fun of her weight. He dances around her in a circle singing a song he made up on the spot. When the Nurse gets angry at him, and asks for Romeo, Mercutio starts teasing Romeo and implies that Romeo was so love-struck from Rosaline, he had begun to go out with the old, fat Nurse. The Nurse makes it even worse when she asks to see Romeo inside.

In the final scene of Mercutio's life, he challenges Tybalt to a duel. Before this, however, he makes fun of Tybalt, and makes puns of almost everything he says. "Tybalt: Well, peace be with you sir. Here comes my man"
"Mercutio: But I'll be hanged, sir, if he wear your livery." Here, Tybalt is saying that he wants to speak with Romeo. Since he sees Romeo coming, he tells Mercutio to leave him alone, his problem is with Romeo, not Mercutio. Mercutio makes a pun out of this, thinking that by "my man" Tybalt meant "my servant." So he says that he will hang himself if Romeo had become Tybalt's servant. In the time this play was written, the pun would've made more sense, unlike now.

Mercutio is one of the characters that Shakespeare most likely only put in the play for comedic effect and to act as a foil. He's a very funny character, who is at times, very deep. Mercutio is a foil to Romeo, because when he shows himself to be violent, it might empathize that Romeo is calmer then he really is. When Mercutio was killed, he was making fun of Tybalt, which shows both his comedic effect on the overall play, and his successful use as a foil.

Words: 475

Class Notes

Act One

1.1 - Remy

Summary
A Capulet/Montague fight breaks out. The Prince ends it with a threat. Lady Capulet says she’s thankful Romeo was there, suggesting he’s aggressive. But we meet him, grieving over love and his mood/personality seems contrasts the first impression. As the first scene there’s a lot of background information on the characters and the rivalry. The ignores age/social class and age groups vary = rivalry has been going on for generations

Literary Devices

Oxymorons
“Why then, O brawling love, O loving hate..... (1.1.181-186)” Conveys hate and love are one, they both result in pain/confusion. He criticizes the fight calling it ironic/contradictory and suggests love may be the root of the problem, plausible insight as to what started it. He’s mocks his emotions and the fight saying they are pathetic. “Does thou not laugh?(1.1.188)” and compares love to smoke, which burns bright but burns out and is temporary. The oxymorons bring contrast/balance

Personification
“An hour before the worshiped sun/Peered forth the golden window of the east, (1.1.120-121)” Themes
Fate is represented as Romeo blames Cupid for his pain, supposedly because he hasn’t shot the girl he loves but has been shot. “Well in that hit you miss. She’ll not be hit/With Cupid’s arrow. (1.1.216-217)”


Characters
The Pr ince
Is responsible/authoritative/unbiased in the rivalry/fair ruler. He addresses fighters by the name “enemies” because they fight peace.
Benvolio
“Part, fools!” “I do but keep the peace.”(1.1.69) He looks down on fighting and is unbiased with similar principals to Prince. He shows respect saying “Here were the servants of your adversary (1.1.108)” instead of “that enemy Tybalt”. Tybalt
He is disrespectful/impulsive/violent/reckless, acts on hatred.
Romeo
First spoken of as potentially dangerous. In the scene he is depicted as private and sad, however. “But he, his own affections’ counselor (1.1.149)” Likes to handle his own problems and is so upset he has lost track of time over a girl. “Ay me, sad hours seem long. (1.1.166)” Emotionally distraught and very attached to his love, He says he cannot look at girls again.
355 Words - Headings and Quotes 106 Words = 249 exactly


1.2
1.3 (by Charles)
The scenestarts off with Lady Capulet orders the nurse to call Juliet and the nurse does so in a kind and motherly way, calling her “lamb” and “ladybug”, very sensitive and affectionate names for a child. The nurse shows how she knows Juliet’s age perfectly and tells a humorous story about a sexualjoke her (past)husband made. Lady Capulet is impatient with the nurse to give her news. Sh introduces the idea of Juliet of being married to Paris because of his appearance, showing how she superficially judges books by their covers. Juliet responds in a mature way and considers it.
The scene particularly shows the personalization of Lady Capulet, the Nurse, and Juliet. Lady Capulet and Juliet are directly related, but the Nurse has a stronger relationship with Juliet because sh was Juliet’s caretaker growing up. Juliet and her mother are actually quite awkward and uncomfortable having a conversation by themselves. Lady Capulet tells the nurse to leave talk to Juliet privately, but then quickly calls her back because of her uneasiness talking with her daughter alone.

Juliet is a very obedient daughter, as she was raised that way, and respects her mother and is strongly influenced by her parents’ decisions and their ideas. In one section in the scene, the nurse goes on and on about her husband’s joke, Juliet silences her when her mother was unable to do so. This event shows that Juliet still has strength and individuality of her own.

(WORD COUNT: 246)

1.4
1.5 (Vivian)

Plot Summary:

• Romeo goes with Benvolio and Mercutio to Capulet’s party
• Sees Juliet and falls instantly in love with her
• Tybalt overhears him speaking and realizes Romeo, and Montague is at the party
• Tybalt wants to fight Romeo
• Capulet scolds Tybalt for his behavior
• Tybalt decides to get revenge
• Juliet falls in love with Romeo, they kiss twice
• Romeo finds that Juliet is a Capulet and Juliet finds Romeo is a Montague
• A conflict develops and the reader is left in suspense

Theme Love:

• Love at first sight between Romeo and Juliet
• "My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me, That i must love a loathed enemy." (1.5.152-155) Shows how powerful and strong love is being even visible between two family enemies

Characters:
Romeo:

• “For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night” (1.5.60) shows he might not be genuinely in love as switch between Rosaline and Juliet was fast
• Shows how younger people tend to base their love on looks rather then things that are deeper as the Friar later scolds Romeo for not giving himself enough time to grieve other Rosaline

Juliet:

• “If he be married,/ My grave is like to be my wedding bed.” (1.5.149) Odd thing to say after having JUST met Romeo
• Like Romeo falls in and out of love easily
  

Tybalt:

• Violent/loves to fight
• "i will withdraw, but this intrusion shall Now seeming sweet, convert to bitt'rest gall." (1.5.102-103) Tybalt wants revenge and will stop at nothing to achieve this

Capulet:

• ‘Party animal’ encourages all the women to dance
• "You'll not endure him! God shall mend my soul, You'll make a mutiny among my guests, you will set cock-a-hoop, you'll be the man!" (1.5.89-91) Respectful unlike Tybalt, as though Capulet hates the Montagues he remains calm and respectful amongst his guests refusing to do anything about Romeos presence.


 Language Use:

• First meeting between Romeo and Juliet is written as a sonnet like the prologue
• Romeo uses a lot of religious imagery when talking to Juliet for the first time.
• Shakespeare’s use of religious imagery helps show how pure, honest, and true their relationship is
• Romantic

WORD COUNT:(367) headings and quotes(118) (249 EXACTLY)

Act Two

Act 2 scene 1
Timothy Young

Mercutio is teasing Romeo when they were trying to get Romeo. Then Mercutio then conjures up Rosaline in an attempt to get Romeo to come out and describes her pleasure parts through saying demesnes. The Benvolio is defending Romeo saying that if Mercutio said these things it would anger Romeo. So then he says that if he goes and has sex with Rosaline it would anger Romeo, not teasing him about her. ROmeo believes in dreams as omens and love at first sight and Mercutio doesn’t. Mercutio says that love is blind and it is completely random and therefore meaning there is no such thing as love at first sight. The medlar tree was supposed to be a demesnes because Romeo would be staying underneath a medlar tree. So in conclusion Mercutio is using a lot of sexual jokes then retires to his bed.


2.2 by Wei-Wei (248 words) (it is HARD to reduce words!)

Summary: Romeo finds Juliet at her balcony talking to herself. He wants to speak, but as he hears her talking about him, he doesn't. Juliet talks about her love for Romeo and laments Romeo's heritage. Romeo reveals himself to Juliet; she is annoyed that he was listening to her personal thoughts, but later she tells Romeo that she will abandon traditional courting ceremonies. Romeo tries to swear his love on himself, but Juliet stops him. Later, however, she contradicts herself as she proposes marriage.

Notes:
Romeo makes several elaborate metaphors for Juliet's beauty (lines 11-24, 29-35). Romeo is portrayed as an infatuated stalker (56-57), while Juliet's language is less romantic; she is more practical and talks about how they have to sacrifice their names (36-39, 41-52). Romeo fears Juliet's rejection more than her family (76-83). Juliet ignores traditional courting rules (94), and tells Romeo that she's not easily won over (100-111). Romeo starts to swear by the moon, then himself, (114) but Juliet stops him, realising their love is happening too fast, like lightning (125-129). She contradicts herself later by proposing marriage, which suggests that she is just as impetuous (150-155)

Act Three

Act 3 Scene 1(HaeMin Cho)

SUMMARY:

• Mercutio and Benvolio hang out in the public square.
• Tybalt arrives looking for Romeo.
• When Romeo arrives, Tybalt tries to provoke him to a fight by calling him a villain.
• Instead of fighting Romeo declares his love for Tybalt.
• Mercutio doesn't understand Romeo's intention and fight Tybalt instead.
• Mercutio gets killed by Tybalt under Romeo's arm and while Mercutio is dying he blames the feud for his death
• Romeo picks up sword and fights Tybalt for revenge and kills him in the end.
• Polices come and Romeo runs away.

NOTE:

• In most Shakespearean plays Act 3 works as the turning point of the play and determine if it is going to be happy ending or tragedy. In Act 1 Scene 3 we can easily foreshadow that the play isn't going to end happily.
• Foreshadowing: "These hot days, is the mad blood stirring..." foreshadows that something bad is going to happen.
• . Dramatic Irony: Romeo refuses to fight Tybalt and declares that he respects and loves him. Only the audiences know that it’s because Tybalt is now cousin in law of Romeo.
• "Couple it up with something. Make it a word and blow..." (Line40) shows Mercutio’s eagerness to fight.
• “A plague o’ both houses” (Line94) Mercutio blames the feud for his death. Shows human’s tendency to blame something bigger for mishaps. Same for Romeo when he blames Juliet for making him feminine
• In the last line “O’ I am fortunes fool!” Romeo blames the fate for all that has happened and by this Shakespeare wants to challenge their thoughts on fate.

3.2 (By Luke)

Summary:

• Juliet is waiting impatiently for the nightfall and the arrival of Romeo
• Juliet is confused about the Nurse’s news
• Juliet first starts to blame Romeo and soon the Nurse joins in but stopped by Juliet
• Later Juliet realizes if Romeo would have been dead if Tybalt is not killed
• Juliet is heartbroken when Romeo is banished from Verona.
• To prevent Juliet from committing suicide, the nurse go out and tries to find Romeo

Literary Devices:

Metaphors
“To an impatient child that hath new robes/And ma not wear them.” (3.2 32-33)

• Compare Juliet to an impatient kid
• Shows Juliet is impatient
• Helps to visualize that emotion

“O, I have bought the mansion of a love/But not possessed it, and, though I am sold,/Not yet enjoyed. So tedious is this day” (3.2 28-30)

• Compares Juliet’s virginity to a house that is sold but not used.
• Marriage is conducted, but not yet consummated.

Imagery
“Whiter than new snow upon a raven’s back.” (3.2 20)

• Romeo = Snow that had just fallen
• Dark Night = Raven’s back
• Contrast between the “brightness” of Romeo and the dark night.

Oxymorons “lose a winning match” - (3.2 12)

• Lose virginity but gain love

Beautiful tyrant
Fiend angelical
Dove-feathered raven
Wolfish-ravening lamb
Despised substance of divinest shows
Damned saint
Honorable villain
Mortal paradise
Sweet flesh - (3.2 79-89)

• Mixed feeling and confusion
• Juliet does not know who she should support
• Similar to the oxymorons used by Romeo

Foreshadowing
“Take him and cut him out in little stars,/And he will make the face of heaven so fine/That all the world will be in love with night/And pay no worship to the garish sun.” (3.2 24-27)

• Expresses Juliet’s feeling about Romeo
• Foreshadows the death of Romeo

Dramatic Changes:
“Blistered be thy tongue/For such a wish! He was not born to shame.” (3.2 99-100)

• Juliet’s mood dramatically changes
• Blaming Romeo ---> Defending for him
• Nurse has no right to criticize Romeo.

Line 105-138

• Rational ---> irrational

3.3- Nahyoung

What are significant about Act 3 Scene 3 are the contrasts between the young and the old. Friar, in this act is a wise, rational, and mature character since he is old. However, Romeo, blind about love, is an immature character who is being overly emotional. Romeo is banished of murdering Tybalt. This is when the clash between the old and the young occurs. “Ha, banishment? Be merciful, say “death”/For exile hath more terror in his look/Much more than death. Do not say “banishment” (3.3.13-15). Romeo states that he would rather kill himself than being banished and not being able to meet Juliet. On the other hand, Friar asks Romeo to calm down and give him advices. “Here from Verona art thou banished./Be patient, for the world is abroad and wide” (16-17). Friar is rather thanking the gods of turning the deaths into banishment: “And turned that black word “death” to/”banishment”/This is dear mercy, and thou seest it not” (28-30). Friar teaches Romeo to look at things in a positive way, he should rather be thankful that he could be alive but not thinking of death. Then, the nurse enters and sends message about Juliet’s confusion and grief. Thus, Friar got mad of Romeo’s femininity and comes up with a wise solution to give permission to Romeo to spend a night with Juliet. “Art thou a man? Thy form cries out thou art./Thy tears are womanish; thy wild acts denote/…/And slay thy lady that in thy life lives/By doing damned hate upon thyself”(119-128). The characters appreciate the well thought words by Friar. Friar’s speech show a strong sense of maturity, wisdom and philosophical. Act 3 Scene 3, therefore shows the clash between young and old theme: Friar being hopeful and rational, while Romeo being immature and overly emotional. Also, in the act, Shakespeare again emphasizes the close relations between Friar and Romeo and how Friar knows more about Romeo and gives him care and love than the Montagues.
Word count with quotes: 302, without quotes: 242

Characters:

Juliet:

• Beginning = Impatient and excited
• Contrast to being mature in the balcony scene
• Dramatically changes multiple times
• Confused
• Use oxymorons to express that confusion.

The Nurse:

• Nurse = ambiguous and use vague language when talking
• Build suspense
• Theatrical effects
• Panicked
• Doesn't want to upset Juliet.

231 Words (Main Analysis) + 158 Words (Quotes)

Act Four

Act 4 Scene 1:
Angela Lu

Summary:

• Friar Lawrence talks with Paris about the wedding
• Juliet talks with Paris, Paris leaves
• The Friar concocts a plan
  • Juliet drinks a potion; make her seem dead for 42 hours
  • Gets out of her marriage to Paris
  • He will send word to Romeo who will take her to Mantua

Analysis:

• Dramatic Irony
  • Paris: “I’m getting married!”
  • Friar/Juliet/Audience: “no you aren’t. Juliet’s already married”
  • “Immoderately she weeps for Tybalt’s death” (4.1.6) Friar/audience know she’s not weeping for Tybalt
• Paris, Juliet:
  • Juliet is diplomatic; doesn’t have plan, maintains a cover
  • “What must be shall be” (4.1.21) not saying yes, not saying no
  • Paris says “cheer up”, tears have slandered her face; admitting is worse
  • Claims her face
  • Juliet says it’s not her face; describing the numb sadness
• Plan:
  • Paris leaves, Juliet’s personality changes, her solution is suicide
  • Comes to Friar because: Romeo trusts the Friar, he married them, she doesn’t have anyone left, he is an adult figure, he has “long-experienced time”(4.1.61)
  • Friar equivocates “if thou darest” (4.1.77), “craves as desperate an execution” (4.1.70) [irrational, desperate, dangerous; doesn’t say plan]
  • If Juliet died instead of leaving with Romeo, Lady Capulet won’t carry out her threat “We will have vengeance for it, fear thou not/ Then weep no more. I’ll send to one in Mantua” (3.5.92-93)
  • Anything but marry Paris: Jump off a building, be chained with bears…
  • Flaws: message not getting there, potion not right
• Falling action, the tension is maintained; fast and suspenseful
• Theme: Youth/age:
  • Friar is no longer being very “wise” because of the flawed plan
  • Adults are being discredited
  • Contradicts “age being wise”

Word Count: 293 with quotes, 246 without quotes

Note: Sorry, but the wiki kind of screwed up my formatting as well as the weird font... I'm not sure how that happened.

Act 4 Scene 2:
Juliet comes to Capulet and begs repentance while he is directing preparations for the wedding. Capulet forgives her. It is Tuesday and Capulet wants to move up the wedding from Thursday to Wednesday morning. This is a fast, dramatic scene.

Capulet wants to move the wedding day up because:
He doesn’t want Juliet to change her mind again
He is impetuous, really likes parties
It speeds the plot up and then the likelihood of things going wrong is more likely. We get scared that the Friar’s letter will not get to Romeo in time. (Which is what happens!!!)

Capulet: “Go, Nurse. Go with her. We’ll to church tomorrow.” 4.2.38
~Amreen

Act 4 Scene 3:
This scene contrasts with the previous scenes, this scene is quite and slow, while the previous scenes are fast paced. The setting of this scene is Juliet’s bedroom, and for the majority of the time, Juliet is either lying or sitting on her bed. This scene is really simple, the Nurse and Lady Capulet leave Juliet alone to let her sleep. After they leave, Juliet drinks the poison. Juliet lies to Lady Capulet and the Nurse, she acts like she has changed her mind about the marriage. The Nurse and Juliet’s relationship has been distancing ever since the Nurse made her suggestion to Juliet about her marriage. Juliet actually wants the Nurse’s help but soon she realizes that the Nurse is gone. “I’ll call them back again to comfort me.--/Nurse!--What should she do here?”(4.3.18-19) Juliet talks about her fears and tries to reassure herself before she takes the poison.
Fears:

1. The poison will not work. In case it doesn’t work, she puts her knife beside her.
2. The Friar poisons her so he won’t get in trouble. (Marrying Juliet to Romeo and Paris) Juliet trusts the Friar that he wouldn’t do it.
3. She will wake up in the tomb and suffocate.
4. She will wake up and see Tybalt’s body decomposing.

Juliet is having a dark fantasy. She works herself up(more more upset, less able to calm/control herself) to the point that she just can’t stand thinking about it anymore and drinks the poison.


~Aaron Zhang

(Word Count: 248)



Act 4 Scene 4:
After the slow scene of Juliet drinking the potion, the plot is sped up again. Everybody is trying to get everything together for the wedding the next day. Everybody is rushing and trying to get things done.

This scene:
Builds suspense because everybody is getting ready for the wedding and Juliet is “dead”.
It is prolonging the other characters’ discovery of her “death”.
Shows contrast between their excitement and the next scene when they find her “dead”.
Time is running out, the time of the potion to make her seem dead, is running out and it makes us anticipate her awakening during the funeral and we are very curious as to what will happen next.
Dramatic irony: we know that she is not dead but the rest of her family thinks she is dead and we are waiting for their reaction to her “death.”

Capulet: “Make haste. The bridegroom he is come already.” 4.4.31

~Amreen * I did both 4.2 and 4.4 so the word count is for the two together.
(Word Count for Main: 242 & Quotes: 21)

Act 4 Scene 5 (by David)
Summary and Analysis:
This scene starts out with the Nurse joking with Juliet about the wedding. However the Nurse does not know that Juliet has drank a potion to make her seem dead. The Nurse pulls open the curtains of Juliet’s bed and is petrified to see Juliet dead. She yells for Capulet and Lady Capulet, when they get there, all of them are in grief. Capulet says, “Death lies to field”. This is effective because it shows how Juliet is too young and has matured to soon; she has not lived her life yet. Also Capulet ties this scene with previous scenes when he says, the grave is like to be her wedding bed and Juliet is destined to marry death. This also foreshadows the end of the play. From Capulet, Lady Capulet and the Nurse expressing their feelings about this devastating occasion, the Nurse is at a lost of words while Capulet and Lady Capulet uses complex words and metaphors. It might symbolize their difference in education or the love between Juliet with the Nurse is stronger than with her parents. Contrasting from the previous acts, this scene shows the audience that Capulet and Lady Capulet both love Juliet very much despite their fighting and disagreements. A great example of Capulet’s love for Juliet is, “And with my child my joys are buried.” The Friar tries to comfort the Capulet’s by saying that Juliet will go to heaven. Another great example of contrast in this scene is that the food originally planned for the wedding (celebration) will now be for the funeral (mourning).

(Word Count for Main: 250 words & Quotes: 12)

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Act 3 Scene 4 (by Kelvin)

In this scene the audience find out about how Capulet changes his mind about Juliet’s maturity. Towards the beginning of the play Capulet explains to Paris how he, protective of his daughter, was talking about his daughter and basically saying that she is too young for marriage, and that they should forget about it for now. However, here Paris argues to “ Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride” by saying how Juliet is still young and “Not yet” 14 but old enough to get married. Paris uses the word “mother” indicating that he thinks Juliet is “physically” able to have children, it proves that she is of age for marriage because other mother of the same age are happy. ‘My will to her consent is but a part.’ This sentence is said by Capulet, explaining that Juliet’s choice is what he agrees with and is the most important because she is his only daughter. What Capulet is saying is basically that his feeling will always be less important to hers and that once her consent is obtained he will agree. However, in this act it very ironic because all of a sudden Capulet changes his mind about marrying Juliet to Paris and he wants them to do it soon. The reason behind this was mainly for Juliet to become happier with someone to love to get over Tybalt. This scene is full of suspense and dramatic irony because the audience all know that Juliet is already married but the rest of the people in the play don’t, so they don’t understand how big of a deal this marriage is.

Word Count: 273

Act 5
Act 5 Scene 1
Note that this scene is the only scene in Mantua
Plot Summery

• Balthazar tells Romeo that Juliet is dead.
• Romeo is in grief.
• Romeo asks Balthazar if there is any news from Friar but he says no.
• Romeo goes to the Apothecary to buy poison to suicide in Juliet’s tomb.

Quote / Theme
“Then I defy you, stars!” Act 5 scene 1. Line 25

• Romeo says that he will kill himself to be with Juliet.
• Ties into the theme ‘Fate’. He says that he wants to control his fate by committing suicide, since he thinks that is the only way to become free from it.

Why does Shakespeare put this scene?

• Creates suspense - we don’t know how Friar’s message will get delivered.
• Delay.
• Gives the actors time to get ready for the next scene.
• Dramatic irony used - the audience knows that Juliet is not dead but Romeo doesn't.
• Reconnecting with Romeo.

Character
When Romeo hears that Juliet is dead, he doesn’t even ask him how, why and when she died. He doesn't have any curiosity of what happened to Juliet and only cares about her death. From this, we can tell that Romeo impulsive.

Act 5 scene 2

Plot Summery
Friar John tells Friar Lawrence that he couldn't deliver the message
Friar decides to break into Juliet’s tomb.
Why does Shakespeare put the scene?
Delay.
Its the falling action of the play - Romeo doesn't know about The Friar’s plan so he decides to kill himself.
Quote / Theme
“Unhappy fortune” Act 5 scene 2. Line 17
Friar blames fortune AGAIN when he realizes that something will go wrong on his plans.

* The word “Pestilence” (act 5 scene 2, line 10) relates to the theme ‘fate’. The reason that Friar John couldn’t deliver his message was maybe because of Mercutio`s curse of the two families by saying "A plague o' both your houses!". Friar John fails to deliver the message to Romeo because of a "plague".

-------------------------------------------Only analysis Word Count : 258 -------------------------------Sally -----------------------------
Act 5 Scene 3

Plot:

Romeo kills Paris as they meet as Juliet’s grave. Romeo sees dead Juliet and kills himself. Friar Lawrence arrives at the scene and Juliet then awakens. She sees dead Romeo by her side and kills herself. The guards later discover this horrific sight and go the prince. Friar Lawrence tells the whole story from the marriage to the plan. With their deaths, the feud is resolved.

What we learn:

• Romeo is being considerate, and thinking about other people as he gives Balthasar a suicide letter to his parents explaining everything, and tells Balthasar to stay away and not watch Romeo kill himself. He gives Balthasar money for helping.

Irony:

• Even in death Juliet’s beauty lights up the tomb: “ for here lies Juliet, and her beauty makes / This vault a feasting presence full of light.”
• Romeo’s speech is extremely important
--> line 91-96 is the most important. Romeo is talking of how Juliet is still as beautiful as if she were alive, and this dramatic irony creates an intense sense of frustration because Juliet IS alive.

Fate:

• Line 111: “And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars”
--> Yoke is the plough attached to cows on the fields. Romeo is going to get rid of the burden of fates plough he’s dragging behind him.
• Friar Lawrence keeps blaming fate for this unfortunate series of events rather than his foolish plan.
• The prince says that fate did all of this to punish the feud.

Important point:

• “sour misfortune’s book” the book of dead people: Tybalt, Mercutio, Paris, Romeo, Juliet, Lady Montague.
• The earth is both the giver of life and it takes it away.

247 words excluding headings and quotes.
288 words in total

-Shreya Vardhan

Characters

Romeo (Vivian):
Romeo is the male protagonist of the story and is first introduced as a depressed, melancholic, and brokenhearted teenager who grows into a courageous, loyal, and passionate man as his love for Juliet progresses. However, he still remains immature, irrational, impetuous, and sensitive, as he tends to easily lose control over his emotions. “Ha, banishment? Be merciful, say “death”(3.3.13) here Romeo experiences an external conflict of being banished from Verona which then also moves the plot forward. You can see how Romeo thinks irrationally about the situation, complaining to the Friar about being banished instead of thinking about a solution. This then also represents the opposition of youth and age, with Friar thinking rationally about the situation and with Romeo not. “O, I am Fortune’s fool!”(3.1.142), “O sweet, Juliet, They beauty hath made me effeminate and in my temper softened valor’s steel.” (3.1.118-120), here you can see how Romeo blames fate and Juliet for his misfortunes when he should in reality be blaming his own reckless behavior having secretly married a Capulet, a family enemy. His secret marriage is also an example of how he moves the plot forward leading to his fight with Tybalt and internal conflict of loving a family enemy. This then also relates to the opposition of love and hate, having loved Juliet and hated Juliet because she was a Capulet, though in the end his hatred is masked by his love. In addition Romeo's constant blaming of fate shows his internal conflict with it, as fate seems to be constantly working against him. “Th’ exchange of thy love’s faithful vow for mine” (2.2.134) here you can see how in the beginning of the play Romeo was very rushed into their relationship having asked Juliet’s hand in marriage after just meeting. This then makes the reader question his faithfulness especially after his quick switch from loving Rosaline to Juliet. However, Romeo goes to extremes to prove his devotion and serious feelings for Juliet having even committed suicide believing his life wasn't worth living without her. This then shows that even though Romeo hasn't fully matured he matures gradually throughout the play through his experiences of true love with Juliet. Also his wanting to commit suicide is yet another example of how Romeo moves the plot forward as it leads to his external conflict with Pairs and then the death of Pairs and Juliet. “It is the East, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon” (2.2.3-4). Overall, though Romeo’s character isn’t perfect it is his passion and idealism as seen from this quote that makes him such a lovable character.

Romeo relates to many of the essential questions through his relationship with Juliet. You can argue that it was partially Romeo’s fault for the tragic events that seemed fated from the start as if he had refused to go to the Capulet’s party here wouldn't be a tragedy. Also I think that Romeo’s love for Juliet is true and not an infatuation as he goes to great lengths to prove his loyalty to the audience, having even committed suicide. Romeo also serves as an example of how the young are foolish and impetuous, for example in act 5.1 when Romeo hears the news of Juliet's death he doesn't question why or how but instead jumps straight to the idea of suicide as he can't imagine living his life without her. This impetuous act shows how younger people tend to think less about each aspect of the situation and instead do things impulsively.


Word Count: Words 586 Quotes 88 words 498 words exactly


Montague & Lady Montague
Montague and Lady Montague are the head of the Montague family. They are also mother and father of Romeo; the male protagonist of this play. Montague and Lady Montague appears only three times in the play; when they talk to Benvolio about Romeo and Rosaline, when Lady Montague tries to restrain Montague from entering the quarrel, and when the Capulets and the Montagues end their feud.
Lady Montague is very slow to anger unlike her husband, Montague. "Thou salt not stir one foot to seek a foe" (1.1.82). When Montague tries to enter the fight with the Capulets, Lady Montague tries to stop and restrain him from entering the quarrel. This shows us that unlike most of the characters in the play, she is patient and slow tempered. Lady Montague advocates peace and wants to keep it for her son, her husband and herself. She is always worried and concerned about her son, Romeo and her husband, Montague being caught up with fighting all the time. Since she likes to follow the law and keep the peace within the two families, she is always distressed about the two men fighting with the Capulets.
Lady Montague is very protective of her son Romeo. When Benvolio talks about the quarrel in act 1 scene 1 to Montague and Lady Montague, she is only worried about Romeo and not the fight. "O, where is Romeo? Saw you him to-day? " (1.1.18). In this quote, Lady Montague is worrying about Romeo's disappearance and asks Benvolio where he is. From this, we can tell that Lady Montague is a loving mother who cares about Romeo and his actions. We can also tell that she is very caring of Romeo when she becomes glad about hearing that Romeo not being involved in the fighting. Lady Montague dies right before the end of the play. She gets shocked about Romeo's banishment to Mantua so she dies of grief.
Montague, contrasting to his wife, Lady Montague, is short tempered and choleric towards the Capulets. "Thou villain Capulet!" - Hold me not; let me go" (1.1.81). Before Lady Capulet stops him, he wills to fight Capulet and wants to get in the quarrel. From this, we can tell that like most of the characters in this play, he likes to fight and is interested about it.
Like Lady Montague, Montague also cares about Romeo and wants Benvolio to listen to Romeo's story and cheer him up. "Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow. We would as willingly give cure as know" (1.1.157-158). In this quote, Montague wills to find out the reason for Romeo's sorrow and eager’s to help him. By this, we can tell that Montague is also a caring father for Romeo and wants to help him out of his sorrow and make him joyful again.
The reader feels pitiful of Montague when he says that his wife has died of grief. Since Romeo died as well, the readers pity the poor father who has lost his wife and son at the same time.
Montague and Lady Montague is both a very understanding and compassionate parent.

Sally Park 520------------

Benvolio, by Nahyoung

Benvolio is a nephew of Montague and a cousin and friend to Romeo. Benvolio has a great personality in the play. Benvolio is a representative of peace and gentleness in the act. “Benvolio”, his name is also symbolic since it means well-wisher that reflects to Benvolio’s role in the play as loyal friend and a peace maker.

Firstly, we can see that Benvolio is one of the closest in relation with Romeo by the conversation Benvolio shared with Romeo’s parents and Romeo, himself. “So early walking did I see your son/ Towards him I made, but he was ‘ware of me/ And stile into the convert of the wood”(1.1.125-128). Benvolio knows more about Romeo than his parents do since Romeo’s parents don’t know about Romeo’s whereabout but Benvolio, his best friend does. Benvolio states how depressed Romeo look these days. Romeo shares his disheartened feelings with Benvolio but not with his parents. “It was. What sadness lengthens Romeo’s hours?” (1.1.168). “Alas that love, so gentle in his view/ Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof!” (1.1.174-175). In these dialogues shared between the two friends really show how close they are and emphasize more of gentleness and caring characteristic of Benvolio’s.

Benvolio attempts to stop the fight between the servants at the beginning of the play and keep the peace with Tybalt. We can see this in Act 1 Scene 1. “I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword, Or manage it to part these men with me” (1.1.69-70). It is evident that Benvolio is not willing to fight with Tybalt and that he is non-violent person.
Benvolio is also a wise and a problem solver. “Be ruled by me. Forget to think of her/…/By giving liberty unto thine eyes/Examine other beauties” (1.1.225,235-236). Benvolio is not only a good friend of Romeo but a mature character acting just like Romeo’s councilor. He is wise and a good problem solver. Whenever Romeo is facing a difficult situation, he often gently suggests him an idea and try to lead him to resolution.

Benvolio is pretty a round character overall. While other characters dramatically change through out, but Benvolio keeps his originality. Even when Mercutio was telling sexual jokes, Benvolio was worrying about Romeo getting hurt and that Romeo must be mad. “An if he hear thee, thou wilt anger him” (2.1.25).
Act 3 Scene 1 is the turning point of the play. A lot of characters’ traits change and the whole atmosphere change from romance to violence that surprises the audiences. However, Benvolio again, keeps his identity. “We walk here in the pulic haunt of men/Either withdraw unto some private place/Or reason coldly of your grievances/Or else depart. Here all eyes gaze on us” (3.1.51-54).

“O noble prince, I can discover all/The unlucky manage of this fatal brawl/There lies the man, slain by young Romeo/That slew thy kinsman, brave Mercutio” (3.1.150-154). In this act, after the street fight, shows Benvolio’s frank, trustworthy characteristic. Benvolio does not prefer to stand on Romeo’s side, but to stand in the middle and be generous and to tell the truth.
-->NAHYOUNG. Word count with quotes: 517 without quotes: 375

Juliet, by Wei-Wei
Juliet is the female protagonist of the play. She is the youngest girl at 13 years old, a marriageable age. The first impression is that she is mature, sheltered and obedient (in contrast to the impulsive Romeo) but as the play progresses over the span of four days, Juliet is forced to mature into womanhood, perhaps too quickly.

In the beginning of the play, Juliet shows little interest and experience in romantic love. When she is asked about her opinion for marriage to Paris, she says: "It [marriage] is an honor that I dream not of." (1.3.71) and "I'll look to like, if looking liking move. / But no more deep will I endart mine eye / Than your consent gives strength to make it fly." (1.3.103-105) The scene that these quotes are taken from is the scene in which Juliet first makes an appearance and makes her first impression on the audience; she is shown to be mature, thoughtful, and obedient, and perhaps a little manipulative.

Her ability to mislead others and be ambiguous without lying outright gets her through many awkward situations in which she would otherwise have to lie or be punished; examples of this behaviour include the aforementioned opinion on the wedding (she states that she'll "see" if she can love Paris), how she asks the Nurse about three mento find out Romeo's name in 1.5.141-151, and how she hides the fact that she doesn't want to marry Paris while talking to him in 4.1.

When Juliet falls in love with Romeo, her character and personality start to go through great changes over the span of four days. She shows great inner strength, responsibility and independence from her parents and the Nurse. Her strength allows her to have maturity beyond her years; she is responsible in that she sets the boundaries of her relationship with Romeo (she allows him to kiss her first, pledges her love first, and proposes their marriage). She puts her love for Romeo before her family, and begins to be independent from her prior social standings (relationships with her parents, Nurse, and her social status).

Juliet is more practical and logical-minded than the masculine, impulsive Romeo. This contrast is especially prominent in the balcony scene; Romeo goes on and on about Juliet's beauty, suggesting that he is merely in love with her for her looks, while Juliet is already starting to think about the practicality of their relationship. However, later she proposes marriage to Romeo, suggesting that, being so young, she is just as impetuous and impulsive as Romeo.
Word Count: 499; Quotes: 50; Analysis: 449

Capulet & Lady Capulet

The Nurse (By Charles)

The Nurse is like a mother figure to Juliet and has a stronger, more affectionate relationship than Juliet has with her own mother. She appears to be very carefree and have a positive outlook on life, as she likes to tell funny stories of raising Juliet and her husband (and his sexual joke about Juliet).

There is evidence that the nurse has had a husband and a child that have both passed away. She says, “Susan and she (God rest all Christian souls!) Were of age. Well, Susan is with God” (1.3.20-21). Here, she is telling her story of Juliet growing up. Susan could have been the Nurse’s child that she was raising along with Juliet. “With God” probably means passed away because, in Christian faith, heaven is where sinless people go to after they die and where God is said to reside. On this note, infer that the nurse is Christian because of her positive use of the word “God”. Also, the nurse says, “God rest all Christian souls”, and here, rest would mean a state of peace and tranquility, meaning that she wishes well of Christians.

There is evidence that the Nurse, even though being of low-class, still has pride and has some respect from other people. When she mocked by Mercutio when she is delivering news to Romeo, she is deeply offended, and doesn’t make a joke out of it. This shows that she believes she isn’t what Mercutio has joked about her being, and that she believes she is a more respectable person than that. Also, the Nurse is not the lowest-class character, as she has Peter accompany her (as a servingman) to find Romeo.

The Nurse also has a tendency to make jokes in serious situations; like when gives news to Juliet about Romeo and their marriage. She stalls to build up tension in the moment by pretending to complain about being to tired. Juliet becomes frustrated with the Nurse, but in the end, when the Nurse finally tells her, Juliet is happier than ever. This shows the Nurse’s good intentions to make Juliet happy. Also, on the morning of Juliet’s wedding to Paris, the Nurse wakes tries to wake her up by making sexual jokes (stating that Paris will keep her up all night). This moment causes sudden contrast with the preceding event: when everyone finds Juliet “dead”.

Even though Juliet and the Nurse have an argument earlier and Juliet believes she cannot trust her, the Nurse is still a great caretaker and still loves Juliet. This is evident when she discovers her to be “dead”. She is absolutely appalled and cannot express herself with words (other than repeating “O woeful day!”). Also, before Juliet drinks the potion before the wedding, she wants to call for the Nurse for comfort, but then she has to actually remind herself that she believes she cannot trust the Nurse. This shows how the two are close by nature, and that Juliet honestly feels safe with the Nurse.

(WORD COUNT: 500)

Tybalt

Escalus, Prince of Verona
Mercutio

The Friar (HaeMin Cho)

Friar Lawrence is a respected and trusted priest in the play. He plays major part in shaping the plot of the play and many of his speeches contribute to the key themes of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
Friar Lawrence gives his first impression through his long speech. There are actually lots of foreshadowing and metaphors that connect to the theme of the play. “The earth that’s nature’s mother is her tomb; what is her burying grave, that is her womb” (2.3.9-10). This line foreshadows death and contributes to the theme of life and death as well. “For naught so vile that on the earth doth live” (2.3.17). This line is another foreshadowing of the portion, which the Friar is going to give Juliet and eventually will lead to tragic deaths.
First of all, he is viewed as a fatherly and caring character who tries his best to help Romeo for better cause. Throughout the play we see that Romeo and Juliet both trust Friar and lean on his ‘intelligence’ when they have nowhere else to go. However, from this close relation between Romeo and Friar, we also see constant conflicts between them. These conflicts contribute to the theme of old and youth. Especially in Act 2 Scene 3 we see the clashing opposition of youth and old. Romeo acts very impetuously and tries to commit suicide whereas the Friar, being more rational and calm stops him and convince him.
The most significant aspect of Friar Lawrence is how he contradicts himself. He shows distinct contradiction by marrying Romeo and Juliet and giving Juliet the portion. His speech constantly informs the readers that he believes in taking love slowly and that impetuous decision should be avoided since they lead to dangerous decisions. “ The sweetest honey is loathsome in his own deliciousness, and in the taste confounds the appetite. Therefore love moderately long love doth so” (2.6.11-14). However, by quickly marrying Romeo and Juliet he is contradicting this value. Also when he decides to give Juliet the portion, he is being impetuous and making dangerous decision. So in the end he is the one making the impetuous decision and paying the consequences, which is what he kept telling Romeo not to do. He also shows some of cowardice when he leaves Juliet alone in the tomb and tries to escape in order to get out of trouble.
Friar Lawrence shows so many contradictions with his words and actions, which makes him a debatable character. He seems both wise and calm but his actions indicate that he is no different from impetuous young people, whom he criticizes. His cowardice at the end also make us doubt his fatherly and caring side. Some can even blame him for all the tragic outcome because in the end it was the Friar who married Romeo and Juliet, made up the plan for Juliet to drink the portion and choosing the wrong servant to deliver the news to Romeo.

Oppositions

Love and Hate (Angela)
Light and Dark (Amreen)
Dreams and Reality
Youth and Age (Remy)
Fast and Slow

Youth and Age (Remy)
The differences between the elderly and the young, or youthful and age-old are most obvious in appearance but there are many differences in terms of how they each deal with situations. The youthful characters are mainly Romeo, Juliet and Tybalt while the elderly characters are Lady Capulet, Capulet and Friar Lawrence. The majority of the situations where an obvious difference in approach is shown are to do with the relationship between Romeo and Juliet. In the first scene, the elderly and the youth are portrayed similarly when a fight between the Capulets and the Montagues breaks out. It shows how deep the rivalry runs through generations are an old man is desperate to join the fight. ‘What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho! (1.1.76)’ Later, when Romeo is introduced, grieving over his unrequited love, his parents recognize that he will only speak to someone young, who can relate to him. ‘See where he comes. So please you, step aside. I’ll know his grievance or be much denied. (1.1.159-160)’ Both Romeo’s parents and Benvolio know that it is easier for someone to speak to someone their own age. Later in Act 1 Scene 2 the contrast between youth and age begins to show in a discussion between Paris and Capulet. Paris, who asks for Juliet’s hand tries to convince Capulet that Juliet is far old enough to get married while Capulet argues that she is yet too young. Capulet’s opinion represents that of a father who worries for his daughter’s safety while Paris’s is rushed and rash. In this play, Shakespeare portrays youthful women as fresh, ‘Among fresh fennel buds shall you this night (1.2.31)’ and elderly as weak/old, ‘But old folks, many feign as they were dead,/Unwieldy, slow, heavy, and pale as lead. (2.5.16-17)’ as if their existence is a burden. The youthful women are preferred over those of old age, ‘Ladies that have their toes/Unplagued with corns will walk a bout with/you.-- (1.518-20). In Act 2, the prologue mentions contrast between the young and old, ‘Now old desire doth in his deathbed lie,/And young affection gapes to be his heir. (2.1.1-2)’ Though these lines actually refer to the fast paced change of his love, it literally means that with the death of an old, a young comes to take its place. Later in the Act 2 Scene 3, Romeo speaks to Friar Lawrence about Juliet. Friar Lawrence looks at Romeo as naive and innocent, ‘But where unbruised youth with unstuffed brain/Doth couch his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign. (2.3.39-40)’ and says that he has not a worry in the world although he does and that the problems come with age. He then goes on to criticize Romeo for moving on from Rosaline so quickly. Friar Lawrence says young men do not understand love and their love is superficial. ‘So soon forsaken? Young men’s love then lies/Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes. (2.3.71-72)’ His wisdom and experience make him more knowledgeable about love compared to Romeo and he advises him to take love ‘Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast. (2.3.101)’ After the news that Romeo has been banished in Act 3, Friar Lawrence and Romeo have very different reactions. Romeo acts in a frenzy, while Friar Lawrence, more pragmatic, assures him it is petty. Romeo foolishly believes death is better. ‘Ha, banishment? Be merciful, say “death,”(3.3.13)’ Juliet reacts irrationally as well threatening to commit suicide unless Friar Lawrence gives her a solution. ‘Do thou but call my resolution wise,/And with this knife I’ll help it presently. (4.1.54-55)’ Juliet acknowledges that Friar Lawrence is more wise and respects his sagacity, ‘Therefore out of thy long-experienced time/Give me some present counsel, or, behold (4.1.61-62)’ From what we have read so far in class, the contrast between being realistic and whimsical about a situation seems to be the greatest example of differences between the young and old.
673 Words - Quotes 177 Words = 496 Words Exactly


Light and Dark
Near the beginning of the play Montague says: “Away from light steals home my heavy son/ And private in his chamber pens himself, Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out, And makes himself an artificial night.” 2.1.140-143. In this quote, darkness signifies Romeo’s depression and melancholy. He likes to stay in dark places, away from light. This gives him an “emo”, depressed characteristic. Contrasting him is Juliet, who is always compared to bright/light things. For example, Romeo compares her to the sun and her eyes to stars. In Juliet’s case, the light is referring to her beauty. “As daylight doth a lamp; her eye in heaven Would through the airy region stream so bright That birds would sing and thing it were not night.” 2.2.21-23. In this quote he is comparing Juliet’s eyes to a lamp and daylight and that they are so beautiful and bright that the birds would think that it was daylight when they see her eyes. So throughout the book, Juliet is constantly compared to the light and Romeo is compared to darkness. This gives Juliet a pure, honest personality whereas Romeo seems a bit dark, expecially through is recovery of loveshickness over Rosaline and then his quick love expressed to Juliet. When Romeo goes to see Juliet after Capulet’s party on the balcony, he is waiting in the dark and Juliet cannot see him “What man art thou that, thus bescreened in night, So stumblest on my counsel? 2.2.56-57. Romeo lurks in the darkness while Juliet is in plain sight among the light on the balcony. This constant darkness as Romeo and Juliet as light balances out and supports the statement “opposites attract.” In Act 3 when Romeo visits Juliet, morning is approaching and Juliet says: “Wilt thou be gone? it is not yet ... near day:It was the nightingale, and not the lark,That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear;” (3.5.40-41). During the night and the dark, Romeo and Juliet can be together because no one knows that they are together but when light and day comes along, they must part because Romeo is banished. Light and dark, in this scene show Romeo and Juliet’s relationship. Even before, Romeo saw Juliet only at night, in the dark because of the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues. Their love has to be hidden from the their families and thus they had to meet in the cover of night. When the light comes, it separates them, even though love usually has positive connotations. In this passage, light seems evil and cruel because we really feel for Romeo and Juliet, and we want them to be together. Because of light and morning, they must stay away from each other despite their love and will to be together and the audience is depressed by the light’s cruelty because it keeps the two lovers apart. Near the end of the play Romeo find Juliet dead and he says: "For here lies Juliet, and her beauty makes This vault a feasting presence full of light." 5.3.85-86. Even after "death", Juliet seems beautiful to Romeo and we see that when he sees her everything feels lit up and bright because of her beauty.
~Amreen Ahmad
Word Count Total- 540 Word Count without Quotes: 419

Love and Hate
Angela Lu


Cupid’s arrows were gold for love and lead for hate. Although they might be two very different substances, they are both arrows, just as love and hate are two opposite emotions, but are tied very close together. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s theme of love and hate is developed.

The hate between the Capulets and the Montagues is revealed throughout the play. The fight that took the lives of Mercutio and Tybalt show that their hatred goes so deep that they might even kill each other. But while the hate is developing, we also see the true and passionate love of Romeo and Juliet growing. Their “true love is grown to such excess” (2.6.33) that they get married, have sex, and even die for each other all within a couple days of meeting. When presented like this, Shakespeare is showing how love and hate are worlds apart.

Yet, as the young lovers know, they aren’t so different as some would believe. Romeo makes his entrance in Act 1 Scene 1 with a comment on the battle that had taken place that day: “Here’s much to do with hate, but more with love./ Why then, O brawling love, O loving hate” (1.1.180-181). He is hinting that the feud started with love and that no passion this deep could have only sprung from hate. Love must have had a hand in it. Both Romeo and Juliet realize the fine line between love and hate very early in the play. They can love each other even though they are from sworn enemy families. Later on, Juliet states, “my only love sprung from my only hate” (1.5.152) further showing how she’s found her love in her hate. Love is closer to hate then one would like to think sometimes. Romeo and Juliet found love in hate, and Cupid obviously knew of the connection as he had lead arrows for hate and gold arrows for love. They might be of different substances, but the object is the same. When presented like this, Shakespeare shows the audience that while love and hate might have different denotations, they both bear connotations of dedication and passion.

The way Shakespeare shows the hate-filled streets of Verona in the street battles and then the sweet and romantic love of the young lovers helps build the contrast in love and hate. But having the “star-crossed lovers take their life” (prologue.6) and “bury their parents’ strife” (prologue.8) show how closely connected they are. This hate-filled feud can only be ended through love. Love is the only emotion powerful enough to end the hate and, as Romeo said previously, love is also the only emotion powerful enough to begin the hate. Romeo and Juliet found love within hate, which is one of the underlying themes in this play. Yet at the same time, their passionate romantic love couldn’t be more different than the quarrels between the houses. One is sweet love and the other is a fight to the death. Shakespeare’s message to his audience is that while love and hate might be opposites, they are closely related while still managing to be on opposite ends of the spectrum of emotions.

Word count: 481 without quotes, 528 with quotes

Note: Once again, I'm sorry about the formatting. It seems that when I copy and paste, it always messes it up a bit.


What is love? – Kelvin Ip

In the play Romeo and Juliet the audience witnesses many types of love. Love being a theme in this play is very important because it can tell us about different character’s characteristics. “A troubled mind drive me to walk abroad” 1.1.115 here Benvolio tells Montague about Romeo and his current situation after his breakup. Bevolio talks of how Romeo has become depressed, miserable, sad and lonely which introduced to a couple types of love. There is the type of love when one loves another but the other doesn’t love them back, One where both are in love, one where they are alone, and also having someone love you but you can’t love them back, but there’s also love between relatives. However, the most important love in this play is fated love and love at first sight which was what Romeo and Juliet had. "My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me, that I must love a loathed enemy." (1.5.152-155) This shows how strong love can be even between two hating families. We also witness other features of love from this play. Love can be very sudden. In most cases, it can be very gradual, but the thing is if love develops too fast it shatters fast. Sometimes love may seem to last forever but it can disappear when least expected and it can cause a lot of damage. It does not just take a blink of an eye to unite a couple for their life. Love takes time to develop, it’s not just always love at first sight, and cupid’s bow, it takes effort and time to make things work, and throughout this play we witness that it is in fact true and that though many people may believe in love at first sight it doesn’t mean it does exist. “So smile the heavens upon this holy act/ That after-hours with sorrow chide us not.”(2.6.1-2) The Friar begins Romeo and Juliet’s marriage by a powerful line. He hopes the heavens will be happy with this holy act of marriage. He hopes that the future holds nothing unfortunate for them. The Friar foreshadows Romeo and Juliet’s troubles throughout their marriage, which later we discovered is their death.

Word count: 382.

Dreams and Reality (Shreya)
The characters in Romeo and Juliet have diverse views on dreams and reality. Some are hung around dreams, some are grounded with the latter, and some are split up between the two or have mixed views. Juliet and Romeo is an example of how different dreams and reality are. Romeo is a dreamer while Juliet is a realist. Their persona’s are contradicting just like dreams and reality. From the beginning, Romeo has shown that he is a dreamer. “In bed asleep while they do dream things true.” (Act 1 Scene 4 Line 57). As a dreamer, he believe in everything, no matter how wild his dreams are, or others dreams, he believes them. Juliet however, is less impulsive and thinks before her reaction. “Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much” (Act 1 Scene 5 Line 108). This was when Romeo first held her hand at the party, and Juliet was telling him that what he was doing was wrong; she was thinking clearly at that time. However things change as she falls in love with Romeo. We learn from Romeo and Juliet, that love turns people form realists, to dreamers. They start thinking differently, acting differently, as the saying goes: love makes people do crazy things. We learn this as Juliet says, “Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow” (Act 2 Scene 2 Line 151). Juliet is asking for Romeo’s hand in marriage, and so from a realist she is turned into a dreamer by love. Juliet thinks love is such an unrealistic thing, such a magical thing that she only dreams about it. “I am afeard,/Being in night, all this is but a dream.” (Act 2 Scene 2 Line 146-147). While love helps their dreams of being together grow stronger, it still doesn’t change the fact of the feud that they are bound by. When Romeo is banished to Mantua, they fall from the clouds they dote upon, and come crashing down to earth. They both are in pain, and everything is ugly now. They are introduced to the real world. So while the dreams lasted, they had to eventually fall back to the earth. They are young which also makes it harder, and they learn this life lesson the hard way. That no matter how long you are up in the clouds, you eventually have to come back down to earth.

Word count excluding quotes: 355
Total word count: 401